6/24/08  Along the curb in front of Prospect Hall are several 'Red Sprite' Winterberries {Ilex veticillata 'Red Sprite'} that are blooming along their stems with very small white flowers.  We grow this shrub for its fruit; it will have countless red berries along its stems in late September that will remain very attractive well into winter.  There is a taller variety of Winterberry in the rear of this bed, 'Winter Red' will flower in a week or so and will also develop a large number of red fruit.  This species of Holly is far and away our showiest shrub for a long lasting colorful fruit display in the fall and winter.  In front of the Bagley House is a Red Buckeye {Aesculus pavia} in bloom with a spike of red flowers held above the very attractive Horsechestnut foliage.  In the same bed is another Horsechestnut species, Bottlebrush Buckeye {A. parviflora} that will bloom in July.

'Red Sprite' Winterberries	Red Buckeye

6/19/08  On the east side of the Russell House are several Bush Cinquefoil {Potentilla fruiticosa} shrubs in full bloom with light yellow flowers.  There are many varieties of this plant, flowers come in white, yellow, pink, and red, though the yellow shades are the most common.  It will continue blooming until frost.

Bush Cinquefoil

Japanese Tree Lilac

6/17/08  At the uphill end of the large bed in front of the Lamson Library is a small group of Cutleaf Stephanamdra {S. incis 'Crispa'} that forms a very thick mass of arching stems 2-3' tall.  It is flowering now with small light yellow flowers.  This is an excellent plant to prevent erosion on steep banks.  In the same bed is a large mass of 'Anthony Waterer' Spiraea {S. x bumalda 'Anthony Waterer'} that is 3' tall and coming into bloom with carmine pink flat topped flower clusters.  Behind the northwest corner of Prospect Hall are several Drooping Leucothoes {L. fontanesiana} that are blooming with pendulous white flowers partially hidden by the multicolored foliage.  The variegated evergreen foliage will rarely winter burn if planted in a sheltered location with little or no winter sun.  The new foliage is a nice reddish color and will slowly turn a mottled green through the summer.  Leucothoe is a member of the Heath family and the flowers are similar in shape to Blueberries.  In front of Prospect Hall is a large planting of 'Henry's Garnet' Virginia Sweetspire {Itea virginiana 'Henry's Garnet} that has white flowers in 6" racemes just opening.  The green foliage turns a beautiful wine red in the fall and remains very attractive well into November, the fall foliage is the primary reason I grow Itea, it extends the season by close to a month.

Cutleaf Stephanamdra	'Anthony Waterer' Spiraea	Drooping Leucothoe	'Henry's Garnet' Virginia Sweetspire Updated 6/24/08

6/16/08  To the left of the Main Street entrance to D & M is an 'Erie' Viburnum {V. dilatatum 'Erie'} in full bloom with large 6" clusters of cream colored flowers above lush green foliage.  The flowers will be followed by large clusters of red fruit in the fall and the foliage turns multiple attractive colors for a very effective three season display.

'Erie' Viburnum

Flame Azaleas

6/10/08  On the south side of Ellen Reed is a 'Varied Directions' European Larch {Larix decidua 'Varied Directions'} with a groundcover of 'Weihenstephaner Gold' Sedum {Sedum floriferum 'W. G."} that is in full bloom with a carpet of bright yellow flowers.  These flowers will rebloom soon after we cut off the spent flowers.  The "Varied Directions' Larch is a plant developed by Sid Waxman at the University of Connecticut and makes a graceful living sculpture.  It is 3-4' tall and 20' wide.  The Larch is one of just four deciduous conifers and the needles turn a spectacular soft yellow before dropping each fall.

'Varied Directions' European Larch

6/9/08  Along the west side of the HUB are several Red-budded Mountain Laurels {Kalmia latifolia} whose buds are different shades of red depending on the variety.  These new varieties lengthen the season of interest around their blooming time.  This is one of our best shrubs and is native range extends to the shores of Squam Lake in Holderness.  It has shiny evergreen foliage and is a reliable bloomer.  Along the north side of the Silver Center are several Mountain Laurel plants that were collected in North Carolina and are without any of the red coloration.  Growing in the earth filled retaining wall along the parking lot at the north end of the Silver Center is the clinging vine Climbing Hydrangea {H. anomala petiolaris} that has bright green foliage and many 6-10" flat clusters of white flowers.  The stems are cinnamon colored and are also attractive when the foliage drops in the fall. Once this vine is established growth of 6' a year is common.

Red-budded Mountain Laurels Updated 6/23/08	Native Mountain Laurels Updated 6/16/08	Climbing Hydrangea Updated 6/16/08

6/5/08  At the southwest corner of the Counseling Center is our Oyama Magnolia {M. sieboldi} that has white flowers with reddish stamens, before the flowers open they hang down like small eggs.  The flowers are best observed from below, this was a popular species to use in Japanese tea cottage gardens where the guests are seated on the floor.  At the northeast corner of Hyde Hall there is a White Fringetree {Chionanthus virginicus} in bloom with fringed white flowers.  This plant is very late to leaf out, it still appears dormant at graduation and the flowers are followed by lush green summer foliage and nice yellow fall foliage.  Our oldest Fringetree campus is at the southeast corner of Hall Hall.  At the northwest corner of the Kelly House {Human Resources} is a 'Blue Muffin' Viburnum {V.dentatum} blooming with clusters of white flowers.  This plant gets its cultivar name from its display of blue fruit in August.

Oyama Magnolia	White Fringetree	'Blue Muffin' Viburnum

6/2/08  At the southwest corner of the HUB is a 'Winter King' Hawthorn {Crataegus viridis 'Winter King'} in bloom with clusters of white flowers.  This tree has a very nice wide spreading habit and a truly outstanding show of red fruit in the fall and winter.  In front of Mary Lyons Hall are three trees {2 European Larches and a Crabapple} with groundcovers around their trunks of Bigroot Geranium {G. macrorrhizum} that has purple flowers above the thick foliage.  These plantings eliminate the need for annual mulching and cut way down on the amount of weeding.  On both sides of Highland St. by Russell House are large plantings of the Dwarf Korean Lilac {Syringa meyeri 'Palibin'} with deep purple buds that open to fragrant pink to white flowers.  This shrub is a dependable bloomer at a very young age.

'Winter King' Hawthorn	Bigroot Geranium	Dwarf Korean Lilac

5/30/08  Along the north side of HUB Snackbar is a group of 'Nova Zembla' Rhododendrons {R. catawbiense 'Nova Zembla'} that are blooming with large red flower trusses.  In front of the Russell House is another planting of Catawba Rhododendron {R. catawbiense} that is coming into bloom with purple flowers.  We have many varieties of Catawba Rhododendron on campus, many large plants are on Main St. in front of D&M which are just a few days later coming into bloom.  On the east side of Smith Hall is a large multi-stem Amur Maple {Acer ginnala} that has a profusion of flower clusters just opening.  There will be a heavy crop of seed that will be red in late August and turn silver in the early winter.  The leaves are a very nice bright green all summer and will turn a beautiful scarlet in October.  There are several Amur Maples in the islands separating the parking lots at the Athletic Center.  At the entrance to Lamson Library are a few Mapleleaf Viburnums {V. acerifolium} that have flat clusters of white flowers.

'Nova Zembla' Rhododendrons	Catawba Rhododendron	Amur Maple	Mapleleaf Viburnums

5/29/08  At the Infirmary on Merrill St is a bed of Exbury Azaleas {Rhododendron x 'Exbury'} with 'Gibraltar' blooming with orange to red flowers and 'Percil' with yellow flowers.  These are not recommended for Zone 4, but with our milder low temperatures of the last few winters they have become much more reliable bloomers.  In the large garden on Highland St. between Lamson Library and Belknap Hall is a 'Tricolor' European Beech {Fagus sylvatica 'Roseomarginata'} that has purple leaves with pink margins.  The leaf color is very striking; it is planted in the shade because the pink margins tend to burn in full sun.  Just across the street at the Bagley House is a Carolina Allspice {Calycanthus floridus} that has fragrant reddish brown blossoms that look like dried flowers.  The strawberry-banana-pineapple scent is reportedly stronger in the evening.

'Gibraltar' Exbury Azaleas	'Percil' Exbury Azaleas	'Tricolor' European Beech	Carolina Allspice

5/28/08  In front of the lower end of Prospect Hall is a Siebold Viburnum {V. sieboldi} with white flower clusters.  It has very bright green foliage all summer that smells like green peppers.  It also has a nice display of fruit that turns red and ripens to black.  This shrub usually is grown in a multi-stem habit but also is very adaptable to be trained as a single stem small tree.  There is another example at the west entrance to Speare Hall as well as some large multi-stem plants growing along the ramp at Hyde Hall.  Along the east facing wall of Pemi Hall is a Redvein Ekianthus {E. campanulatus} that has many small bell shaped pendulous flowers that create a very graceful appearance.  The foliage will turn a very attractive red in the fall, another excellent landscape plant in same family as Rhododendron.  There are some older examples of Enkianthus in the large garden on the north side of Memorial Hall.  Between the Robert Frost House and Blair Hall is a group of Korean Mountain Ash {Sorbus alnifolia} that are blooming with large clusters of white flowers.  In the fall there is beautiful coral colored fruit that remains on the tree into early winter and will often make a striking display with the background of an early snow.  There is another large group of Korean Mountain Ash on the bank facing the Silver Center as well as our oldest specimen on the south side of Speare Hall.  On the east side of Russell House is a 'Shasta' Doublefile Viburnum {V.plicatum var. tomentosum 'Shasta'} with white flowers displayed above the foliage to create the 'Doublefile' effect.  The 'Shasta' cultivar is a 1979 introduction from the U.S. National Arboretum.

Siebold Viburnum	Redvein Ekianthus Updated 6/10/08	Korean Mountain Ash	'Shasta' Doublefile Viburnum

5/23/08  On the north side of Holmes House is a 'Brioti' Horsechestnut {Aesculus x carnea 'Brioti'} that is just coming into bloom with 8-10" spikes of red flowers with yellow throats.  These flowers are very flashy and often last up to three weeks.  In front of the Bagley House is a Red Buckeye {A. pavia} that is a shrub form and also has red flowers.  This is one of the parents of the hybrid that created the 'Brioti' Horsechestnut.  In the large bed in front of Memorial Hall is a group of Highbush Blueberries {Vaccinium corymbosum} that has pendulous, bell shaped, cream colored flowers.  This is my favorite example of edible landscaping: nice flowers, excellent summer foliage, and striking red fall foliage and of course the wonderful berries to snack on as you walk by.  Along the ramp to Hyde Hall is a large planting of Wilson Rhododendron {R. x laetevirens} with flowers that range from white to pink, small leaves, and a fairly low habit.  This has become a very dependable bloomer as these plants have aged, they were planted in 1977.  In the large garden at the north end of the Silver Center is an Umbrella Magnolia {M. tripetala} that has large cream colored flowers up to 10" across and enormous leaves up to 24" long.

'Brioti' Horsechestnut	Highbush Blueberries	Wilson Rhododendron	Umbrella Magnolia

5/22/08  In front of the D&M building on Main St. are several 'Brilliant' Red Chokeberries {Aronia arbutifolia 'Brilliantissima'} that are blooming with many clusters of white flowers with reddish anthers.  The foliage will be a lush green all summer changing to one of the best reds we have in the fall as well as a heavy crop of bright red fruit, an outstanding plant with multiple seasons of interest.  On the north side of Court St. is an 'Adirondack' Crabapple {Malus 'Adirondack'} noted for its columnar growth habit and disease resistance, which is completely covered in white flowers, this is by far the best blooming year this tree has ever had.  In the far island at the Athletic Center parking lot is a group of Purple Leaf Sand Cherries {Prunus cistena} that is blooming with many small white flowers. This is one of the hardiest shrubs with dark red foliage.  Along the stone wall between Belknap Hall and Lamson Library a Carolina Silverbell {Halesia tetraptera} with many bell shaped white flowers along each branch.  This tree was planted in the 1980's and repeatedly died back from the cold, the last few years it has grown and flowered.  In the large garden at the north end of the Silver Center are two varieties of the Northern Lights series of hardy deciduous Azaleas, 'Rosy Lights' has deep pink flowers, and 'Northern Hi-Lights' has creamy white flowers.  In front of the Athletic Center below the ramp to the second level is a 'Jewelberry' Crabapple {Malus 'Jewelberry'} that is a dwarf variety with white flowers.  This tree is less than eight feet tall and was planted more than 20 years ago.  Above the concrete retaining wall at the Silver Center are a row of 'Tina' Crabapples {Malus sargeti 'Tina'} that are covered in white flowers.  These are seedlings of the species Malus sargenti and come true from seed to form very compact dwarf trees rarely taller than six feet.

'Brilliant' Red Chokeberries	'Adirondack' Crabapple	Purple Leaf Sand Cherries	Carolina Silverbell

'Rosy Lights'	'Northern Hi-Lights'	'Jewelberry' Crabapple	'Tina' Crabapples

5/20/08  In front of the HUB there are several 'Madonna' Crabapples {Malus 'Madonna'} that have double white flowers that are compared to small rose blooms.  Because they are double they last much longer than single Crabapple flowers.  Along the north side of the HUB snackbar is a large planting of 'Carol Mackie' Daphne {D. x burkwoodii 'Carol Mackie'} that has very fragrant pink flowers.  The foliage is also very striking with cream colored margins on small green leaves.  Outside the entrance to Memorial Hall are two large 'Allegheny' Viburnums {V. x rhytidophylloides 'Allegheny'} with large cream colored flower clusters.  The foliage is a much textured green with clusters of red and black fruit in the fall.  Also outside the entrance to Memorial Hall are a few 'Purple Gem' Rhododendrons {R.x 'Purple Gem'} with a rounded dwarf habit, small evergreen foliage and light purple flowers.

'Madonna' Crabapples	'Carol Mackie' Daphne	'Allegheny' Viburnums	'Purple Gem' Rhododendrons

5/15/08  Many of our Crabapples are coming into bloom for graduation.  The trees with white flowers on D&M Field are Siberian Crabapples {Malus baccata} and are extremely hardy and do come from eastern Siberia, Mongolia and northern China.  The rose red flowers in the Silver Center parking lot are 'Centurion' Crabapples {Malus 'Centurion'} and have excellent glossy red fruit in the fall.

Siberian Crabapples	'Centurion' Crabapples

5/14/08  Our state shrub, the Common Lilac {Syringa vulgaris} is coming into bloom at Boyd Hall and Belknap Hall.  The spikes of flowers are just beginning to open and spread their wonderful fragrance.  In front of the Infirmary there is an Amur Chokecherry {Prunus maackii} in bloom with clusters of white flowers.  These trees are also grown for their cinnamon colored bark which is quite striking on a sunny winter day.  Behind the shuttle stop on Highland Street is a large group of Myrtle-leaf Rhododendron {R.myrtlifolium} with pink flowers above small evergreen foliage.  Outside the main entrance to Rounds Hall is a Dwarf Fothergilla {F.gardenii} with white flowers that look like small bottlebrushes.

Common Lilac	Amur Chokecherry	Myrtle-leaf Rhododendron	Dwarf Fothergilla Updated 5/22/08

5/12/08  In front of the Infirmary on Merril Street is a group of Pinkshell Azaleas {Rhododendron vaseyi} with beautiful pale pink flowers.  This species is native to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and usually has excellent red fall foliage.  Next door in from of the Computer Store is a Japanese White Flowering Crabapple with red buds that will lighten and open to white flowers.  The Crabapple {Malus sp.} in front of Blair Hall is completely open because of its protected location.

Pinkshell Azaleas	Japanese White Flowering Crabapple	Crabapple

5/9/08  Just below the southeast corner of Belknap Hall is our first Redbud {Cercis canadensis} to bloom each spring.  The flowers are a very bright reddish purple and are often produced on fairly thick older branches.  Our largest Redbuds are planted between the north side of D&M and the Episcopal Church, there are others planted along the east side of Hyde Hall.  All of these trees are from a group of seedlings we bought from a native stand in Wisconsin {for cold hardiness} and were planted in our Nursery in 1991.  At the rear of the Russell House is a Flowering Dogwood {Cornus florida} that is just beginning to open its white flowers.  With the mild temperatures we had this winter I am anticipating a good blooming season this year.  Underneath this Dogwood is the groundcover Dead Nettle {Lamium maculatum} that has variegated foliage and purple flowers.

Redbud	Flowering Dogwood	Dead Nettle

Bradford Pear Updated 5/12/08

5/8/08  Between Holmes' House and Round's Hall is a 'Wada's Memory' Magnolia {M. x Wada's Memory} that is blooming with large white flowers.  This is a hybrid of M. kobus and M. salicifolia.  This tree was moved from the west side of Mary Lyon's two years ago.  It was planted at Mary Lyons in the late 1970's and was about 12" tall when we received it from a specialty nursery in Oregon. It is named for Joseph Wada, a Japanese horticulturist.

'Wada's Memory' Magnolia

5/6/08  At the northwest corner of Hall Hall is a group of Judd Viburnums {V. x juddi} that are in bud and soon to flower.  This is an improved hybrid of the Koreanspice Viburnum {V. carlesi} and it has very attractive deep red flower buds.  The buds open to white flowers and are extremely fragrant.

Judd Viburnums Updated 5/14/08

5/2/08  In the garden east of the Bagley Center is the groundcover Periwinkle {Vinca minor} with evergreen foliage and attractive blue flowers.  This has been one of New England’s most popular groundcovers for well over a century and old plantings spreading into adjoining woods are seen near old homesteads.

Periwinkle

5/1/08  At the bottom of the Hyde Hall ramp is a 'Leonard Messel' Magnolia {M.x loebneri 'Leonard Messel'} with fragrant pink flowers.  This was a chance hybrid found in Col. Messel's garden in England and is one of the best Magnolias for our climate.  Along the brick walk south of Hyde Hall is a 'Robin Hill' Downy Serviceberry {Amelanchier arborea 'Robin Hill'} with light pink buds just starting to open to white flowers.  There will be attractive, edible fruit in July, as well as multicolored fall foliage.

'Leonard Messel' Magnolia	'Robin Hill' Downy Serviceberry Updated 5/6/08

4/28/08  In front of Memorial Hall is a Saucer Magnolia, {M. x soulangeana} this is our largest Magnolia and heaviest bloomer year after year.  On many locations on campus we have the evergreen Mountain Pieris {P. floribunda} blooming with upright panicles of fragrant white flowers.  This is a very dependable shrub that I have planted in many locations.  A hybrid of Mountain Pieris with the Japanese Pieris {P.japonica} is 'Brouer's Beauty' Pieris {P.x Brouer's Beauty} that has cream colored flowers.  Both of these plants have exposed flower buds all winter, Brouer's Beauty's flower buds are a very pleasing red all winter which greatly enhances its ornamental value.  At the south side of Speare Hall is our first 'P.J.M.' Rhododendron {R. x P.J.M.} to bloom, it is earlier because of it location right against the south side of the building.  This is the most popular Rododendron in America and was hybridized at Weston Nursery in Hopkinton, Mass.  In front of the PJM is a Korean Mountain Ash {Sorbua alnifolia} that has a groundcover of Candytuft {Iberis sepervirens} that has evergreen foliage and clusters of white flowers.  Candytuft will often bloom a second time late in the fall with flowers often persisting into early December.

Saucer Magnolia Updated 5/8/08	Mountain Pieris	'Brouer's Beauty' Pieris	'P.J.M.' Rhododendron	Candytuft